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BJP MP Seeks Akal Takht Forgiveness for Sajjan Kumar Visit
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri is a member of India’s Parliament from the BJP.
He went to Akal Takht in Amritsar to apologise for visiting Sajjan Kumar’s home after Kumar died.
Kumar had been convicted in cases linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Bidhuri said he had always opposed Kumar because of those events.
He told the Sikh religious leader that he accepted his mistake and asked for forgiveness.
The Akal Takht Jathedar said it was good that Bidhuri had apologised.
He also said other political leaders who visited Kumar should consider asking the Sikh community for forgiveness.
Reports said two other BJP MPs also made condolence visits, and their visits were criticised by party leaders.
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri appeared before the Akal Takht Jathedar in Amritsar on Saturday.
He apologised for visiting Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s home after Kumar’s death to offer condolences.
Bidhuri said he had opposed Kumar because of his involvement in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Bidhuri had realised his mistake and urged other leaders who visited Kumar to seek forgiveness.
Reports said BJP MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Yogender Chandolia also visited Kumar’s residence, drawing criticism from BJP chief Nitin Nabin and H. S. Phoolka.
- Who
- BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj.
- What
- Bidhuri apologised for visiting Sajjan Kumar’s residence to offer condolences after Kumar’s death.
- Where
- Sri Akal Takht Sahib, at the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar.
- When
- Saturday; one report says Bidhuri submitted a written apology on September 5. The condolence visit was reported to have taken place in August.
- Why
- Bidhuri said that visiting the home of a person involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was a mistake.
Condolence Visit Was Inappropriate
Bidhuri’s Explanation and Apology
Visiting Sajjan Kumar’s residence
Condolence Visit Was Inappropriate
Akal Takht Jathedar Gargajj said other political leaders who visited Kumar’s residence should take guidance from Bidhuri’s apology and seek forgiveness from the Sikh community. H. S. Phoolka criticised the MPs, saying sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families.
Bidhuri’s Explanation and Apology
Bidhuri said he and others had stopped at Kumar’s home briefly while passing by, and he acknowledged that attending the condolence gathering was a mistake.
Bidhuri’s record on the 1984 riots
Condolence Visit Was Inappropriate
Bidhuri said attending the condolence gathering of someone involved in the anti-Sikh riots was a sin and accepted responsibility for his visit.
Bidhuri’s Explanation and Apology
Bidhuri said he had consistently spoken against Sajjan Kumar and called for those responsible for the killing of Sikhs to receive the strictest punishment.
Key facts
- Bidhuri’s role
- BJP MP from South Delhi
- Person visited
- Congress leader Sajjan Kumar
- Reason for apology
- Bidhuri visited Kumar’s residence to offer condolences after his death.
- Religious institution
- Sri Akal Takht Sahib
- Jathedar
- Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj
- Other MPs reported at the condolence visit
- Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Yogender Chandolia
- Reported criticism
- BJP chief Nitin Nabin and BJP leader H. S. Phoolka criticised the MPs’ visit.
Quotes
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri
BJP member of Parliament who appeared before the Akal Takht
“Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families-many of whom live the horror of those days even till now”
thehansindia.com
“Today, appearing before Jathedar Sahib at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, I sought forgiveness. I accepted my mistake.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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